Bevil, Johnson show elusiveness against rushing defenders

Lamar University quarterbacks faced plenty of defensive pressure Saturday in a scrimmage in which defensive players were allowed to tackle the quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks are off-limits in most preseason scrimmages, but Lamar coaches wanted to see how the signal-callers handled a rush before they pick a starter for the Sept. 3 opener against Texas College.

That decision might have caused sophomore Doug Prewitt to suffer a concussion that could keep him sidelined for a bit, but senior Andre Bevil and freshman Jeremy Johnson showed enough elusiveness to make plays.

Bevil slipped away from defensive end Darby Jackson on one play and scrambled to the right sideline on another play and threw a 4-yard touchdown to Barry Ford.

“It was a play that was intended to go to the slot,” Bevil said. “It kind of broke down. They had it covered pretty good. I kind of used my feet to get out of the pocket and hesitated like I was going to run and drew up those cornerbacks and popped it up to B-Ford for an easy touchdown.”

Bevil, who completed 3 of 6 passes for 26 yards and the touchdown, said being chased around last season helps him now.

“We had a lot of breakdowns last year so it kind made my game a little better this year,” Bevil said. “I can kind of shuck those guys off of me and make a play outside of the pocket.”

As for Johnson, he got hit as he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hayes. Linebacker Jacody Coleman knocked Johnson to the turf as he threw. Hayes outjumped a defender to make the catch.

“That’s something you’ve got to do,” said Johnson, who completed 6-of-9 passes for 50 yards and the touchdown. “To get a touchdown you’ve got to sacrifice for the team.”

Bevil and Johnson also used their feet to pick up yards, Bevil rushing once for 11 yards. Johnson didn’t have many running chances but picked up 12 yards on one carry.